Sunday, August 07, 2011

Lonely Planet - a must have guide book for Morocco

Lonely Planet is the the most popular guide book for Morocco and now there is a new Moroccan edition available in the better book shops. The care and attention to detail that the authors have delivered means that this is once again the "must have" guide book for Morocco. The View from Fez team will do a full review of the book in the near future.

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In addition the Lonely Planet website is a valuable source of information and articles on Morocco. A recent article by Stefanie Di Trocchio, for example, gives the following very handy hints to prepare the first-time visitor for a wonderful time in the country.

Moroccans are famously hospitable and love showing visitors their country. You’ll meet plenty of friendly folk who’ll ease your path, but these tips will make your trip even easier.

Go in spring when lots of Morocco is lush and green. Don’t underestimate the extremes of summer and winter – they can be brutal. Ramadan is an interesting time to travel, but be aware that many restaurants and cafes will be shut during the day. In 2011, Ramadan begins on 1 August and finishes on 30 August. The dates change from year to year, so check it out online (www.when-is.com/ramadan.asp) before you go.

A few words of basic Arabic will take you a long way. Tryes salaam alaykum(hello, literally ‘peace be upon you’),‘afak(please – it has a glottal stop before it, like the sound between the vowels in ‘uh-oh’. If you’re talking to a woman it’s‘afik; to a group, say‘afakum) andshukran bezzef(thank you very much) for starters.

Load up your pockets with small change. Tipping is an integral part of Moroccan life, and a few dirham for a service willingly rendered can make life a lot easier. Tipping between 5% and 10% of a restaurant bill is appropriate. Also tip taxis, guides and small boys who help you find your way out of the complex maze of streets in the old parts of town.

Don’t engage afaux guide(false guide) for the day. They’re illegal. Engage an official tourist guide through a tourist office instead.

Petitandgrandtaxis are a great way to get around, but be prepared to wait – grand taxis won’t leave until all six cramped places are full. If you’re a woman travelling alone in a grand taxi, it’s a good idea to buy the two places in front for yourself.

Treat bargaining in souks as a friendly game. It’s an intrinsic part of the culture and is always expected of you, so just ignore the first price a merchant puts forward.

If you’re offered a mint tea by a local, sit down to enjoy. Mint tea is the hallmark of Moroccan hospitality, and it’s impolite to refuse it. A sit-down tea session takes about half an hour.

If you’re a woman travelling alone, try to ignore unwanted attention. You’ll hear cries ofgazelle!and perhaps even get the odd marriage proposal, but the best thing to do is to avoid eye contact. If it persists, threaten police involvement. It’s surprisingly effective.

THE VIEW FROM FEZ ~ YOUR WINDOW INTO MOROCCO

The View from Fez aims to promote interest and understanding of life in Fez in particular and Morocco in general. The View from Fez is produced in Fez by the registered company: The View from Fez (Pat: 40461390). Our contributors are based in the Fez Medina and in other centres around Morocco. We welcome contributions from writers and photographers across the country.